Society

Egypt after Mubarak

"An Era in which Freedom and Human Rights are Respected"

After the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak, there are plans to hold elections in Egypt within six months. The people of Cairo are proud of what their protests have achieved and at the same time exhausted by the experience. By Khalid El Kaoutit
Muslim University in Tanzania

Combating Discrimination in Their Own Country

Although Tanzania is home to the largest Muslim population in East Africa, the country's civil service is dominated by Christians. The Muslim University of Morogoro was founded in the hope of changing the status quo. By Charlotte Wiedemann
Moroccan Feminism

Emancipation with the Koran?

Moroccan family law is regarded as one of the most progressive in the Arab world, but conservative judges still rule against the interests of women. Muslim feminists use the Koran to fight for their rights. Their secular counterparts are sceptical. By Wolf-Dieter Vogel
Interview with Gudrun Krämer

Fighting Islamophobia with Rational Arguments

Gudrun Krämer regularly contributes to the public debate on Islam in Germany. Nader Alsarras spoke to her at the "Germany's Muslims and European Islam" conference at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt in Berlin
Christians in Aleppo

Rumblings beneath the Surface

Syria is not considered a bastion of democracy and human rights. However, under Bashar al-Assad, Syrian Christians are free to practise their religion. They are concerned about the rise of Islamism. By Claudia Mende
Palestinian Youth Manifesto

"We Want Peace!"

Frustrated with all sides in the Middle East conflict, eight young men and women from Gaza have given vent to their anger in the form of a manifesto posted on the Internet. By Tania Krämer
Interview with Rebecca Chiao

Breaking Women's Isolation with "Harassmap"

Sexual harassment has become a growing problem in Egypt. Since December 2010, the initiative 'Harassmap' has provided a tool that can be used by victims of harassment, the police, and NGOs. Nesrine Shibib spoke to women's rights activist Rebecca Chiao
Controversial TV Series "The Magnificent Century"

Cultural Battle in Turkey

Emotions are running high in Turkey due to a new television series that supposedly paints an embarrassing picture of the private life of Ottoman Sultan Suleiman I, thus tarnishing the image of the Ottoman Empire. By Jürgen Gottschlich
Interview with Simon Levi

"A Culture is Never Lost"

The Jewish Museum in Morocco is the only one of its kind in the Islamic world. Alfred Hackensberger to Simon Levi about the museum and the history of Jews in the North African country
Book Review: Benjamin Idriz's 'Grüß Gott, Herr Imam'

A Contemporary Interpretation of Islam

For the first time, an imam has joined the debate on the future of Islam in Europe. 'Grüß Gott, Herr Imam' (Hello, Mr Imam) is a remarkable book that shows how Islam and western democracy can be compatible. By Claudia Mende
Radio Bakhita in Sudan

A Radio Station for Peace

The people of South Sudan are voting on whether to secede. The euphoria over the prospect of independence masks the social conflicts in the region. Meanwhile, a Catholic radio station is trying to promote peace. By Thomas Kruchem
Language and Integration Mediators in Germany

Tackling Communication Problems Head-On

Misunderstandings frequently arise between migrants and staff in government agencies and in schools. Language and integration mediators are intended to provide a long-term solution to this problem. By Janna Degener